Homosexuals (Part 2)
HOMOSEXUALS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT:
9. The first homosexual relationship in the New Testament regards a centurion and his boy (young one, youth). The Aramaic word ta-li-a (or tal-ya - Assyrian pron.) means "a boy (child) from infancy [see Matt. 2:13] to adolescence" but also generally means a “male child, boy [from 7 to 12 years of age].” It also carries the meaning of “boyfriend;” and hence the person referred to is not necessarily in the age range of a child. The Centurion said “my boy” is lying in the house, paralyzed ... This means the Centurion is saying: “my boyfriend” is lying in the house. The boy is clearly a young man because he was a soldier. We know this because the centurion talks about having soldiers under his command who he gives orders and they obey (See Matt. 8:5-14). The paralyzed “boy” is specifically called his “servant” ow-da at Luke 7:10 and at Matthew 8:9. This would make it unlikely that the “boy” is the centurion’s son. However, the word “servant” is used as a reference to a soldier or soldiers under one’s command elsewhere in Scripture (see Gen. 14:15, etc). Maybe his "boyfriend" was his "armor-bearer;" and hence his "servant." The parallel Aramaic text at Luke 7:2 says the young man was “dear, beloved” ya-qir to him (i.e. the centurion). This young man lives under his roof (i.e. in his house) [Luke 7:6]. A lot of Roman soldiers were gay because Rome had a marriage ban for serving Roman soldiers.
Luke 7:6 reads “…the centurion sent raḥ-mow (his lovers and friends) to him [Jesus].” Raḥ-mow literally means “his male lovers (or friends).” It follows the previous details about the centurion and his boyfriend (i.e. boy). Therefore, it's the last indicator, along with the other details and reasons, that the word ta-li-a "boy" means "boyfriend" in this story. So even though the word talia "boy" can sometimes be used as a synonym for "a young man" (even though Aramaic and Hebrew often differentiate between the two) I don't believe it only means "young man" (2nd or 3rd meaning) here. As you saw, that "boy (or child) " was "dear, beloved" to that centurion. He was also his servant, a young man and lived in his home.
1st Note: Yal-lu-da or Show-ra are more specific and hence better words for "an infant, child under 7 years old." Judith 7:12 (Aramaic text numbering) or Judith 7:23 (Greek text numbering) is a good verse that shows how the Aramaic language uses different words to distinguish between "boys" and "young men." That verse says: "and the young men, women and children (i.e. boys & girls) were gathered around Uzziyah and around the rulers of the city." Ạ-lay-me is the word for "young men" and tla-ye is the word for "boys, children."
Luke 7:6 reads “…the centurion sent raḥ-mow (his lovers and friends) to him [Jesus].” Raḥ-mow literally means “his male lovers (or friends).” It follows the previous details about the centurion and his boyfriend (i.e. boy). Therefore, it's the last indicator, along with the other details and reasons, that the word ta-li-a "boy" means "boyfriend" in this story. So even though the word talia "boy" can sometimes be used as a synonym for "a young man" (even though Aramaic and Hebrew often differentiate between the two) I don't believe it only means "young man" (2nd or 3rd meaning) here. As you saw, that "boy (or child) " was "dear, beloved" to that centurion. He was also his servant, a young man and lived in his home.
1st Note: Yal-lu-da or Show-ra are more specific and hence better words for "an infant, child under 7 years old." Judith 7:12 (Aramaic text numbering) or Judith 7:23 (Greek text numbering) is a good verse that shows how the Aramaic language uses different words to distinguish between "boys" and "young men." That verse says: "and the young men, women and children (i.e. boys & girls) were gathered around Uzziyah and around the rulers of the city." Ạ-lay-me is the word for "young men" and tla-ye is the word for "boys, children."
2nd Note: The Aramaic word ya-qir does refer to lovers or spouses that were "dear." It has the same meanings as the word i-qa-ra [also made from the same three letter root (Y-Q-R)]. They are synonyms and either word spelling could have been chosen by scribes for the verses where they exist. (Dan. 14:2) could be saying: "And Daniel was the dear one (i-qa-ra) [who was joined] with the king, and was living with the king and was being praised (glorified) more than all of the lovers of the king." The Bible also calls the wives of kings as "dear ones (females)" or "beloved ones (females)." (Psalm 45:9), which is about King David, actually says: "The daughters of kings are among your dear ones (yiq-qe-roth); the queen [as being slept with] (ha-segal) stationed herself at your right hand in [clothing made with] gold from Ophir." The Hebrew word se-gal literally means "[the] female being slept with" and hence possibly: “the wife [i.e. queen]” here but possibly “a concubine” at (Neḥ. 2:6 LXX). It's a noun made from the verb sa-gal "he slept with." Moreover, if the Hebrew word yiq-qe-roth (FP) also means "honorable women," then that just means that the females David slept with were both: "dear" and "honored;" because they were “lovers” - i.e. “wives” or “queens” and/or kings’ daughters.
3rd Note: The Greek text of the Old Testament doesn’t always or never translates the Hebrew word e-ved “servant” as the Greek word doulos “servant” (Matt. 8:9, Luke 7:10). The exact opposite occurs in the Aramaic translation of the Old Testament. The Aramaic word ow-da “servant” is the translation mostly or always for the Hebrew word e-ved “servant.” They are actually the same Semitic word. If you subtract the final “a” in the Aramaic word, (which is a common addition to 3 letter Hebrew words), then both words have the same letters (i.e. Ayin, Beṭ & Daleṭ).
4th Note: The Greek word phi-lous is from the Greek verb phi-le-o “to love” and "to kiss." Compare also phi-li-a-zo “to love” (2 Chron. 19:2). Thus phi-lous can mean "friends," "lovers" or "lovers and friends." It's usually just translated as "friends" in English translations. However, if Lucas wanted to exclude "lovers" from the group, he could have used the word khow-row "his friends" instead. Or he could have used the word "servants" or "young men" if the persons were just employees. Also, it's not likely that the centurion would have sent any females to another male (i.e. Yeshua) in that age (time).
3rd Note: The Greek text of the Old Testament doesn’t always or never translates the Hebrew word e-ved “servant” as the Greek word doulos “servant” (Matt. 8:9, Luke 7:10). The exact opposite occurs in the Aramaic translation of the Old Testament. The Aramaic word ow-da “servant” is the translation mostly or always for the Hebrew word e-ved “servant.” They are actually the same Semitic word. If you subtract the final “a” in the Aramaic word, (which is a common addition to 3 letter Hebrew words), then both words have the same letters (i.e. Ayin, Beṭ & Daleṭ).
4th Note: The Greek word phi-lous is from the Greek verb phi-le-o “to love” and "to kiss." Compare also phi-li-a-zo “to love” (2 Chron. 19:2). Thus phi-lous can mean "friends," "lovers" or "lovers and friends." It's usually just translated as "friends" in English translations. However, if Lucas wanted to exclude "lovers" from the group, he could have used the word khow-row "his friends" instead. Or he could have used the word "servants" or "young men" if the persons were just employees. Also, it's not likely that the centurion would have sent any females to another male (i.e. Yeshua) in that age (time).
10. The second known homosexual relationship in the New Testament appears at Acts 10:24, which reads: “And the next day they entered Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, and all his relatives and also his dear friends were assembled with him.” (Lamsa). Dr. Lamsa translates the Aramaic words raḥ-me ḥab-bi-we (beloved lovers) as “dear friends” at this verse. There is a problem with this translation because the Aramaic language already has a word for friends (khow-re). Raḥ-me literally means “lovers” and is from the word raḥ-ma “love.” So, obviously a context is needed when raḥ-me is to be interpreted as “friends.” The Aramaic text is emphasizing that the word raḥ-me should be translated as “lovers” because it has an accompanying adjective “beloved.”
Note: The word khow-ra "friend, companion" is pronounced in the plural as khow-re (friends). However, this word has another legitimate pronunciation. Friend (with the same spelling) can also be pronounced kho-ra and its plural pronunciation is khoo-re. Sometimes the letter beth, when it has a "w" sound acts like the letter wow and becomes a vowel. This same thing occurs in other words such as "man," which can be pronounced as gow-ra or go-ra, "seven" which can be pronounced as show-a or sho-a, etc.
11. “Now there was one of his disciples who was leaning das-mik on his bosom, the one whom Jesus loved. - So that disciple leaned himself n'pal on the breast of Jesus, and said to him, My Lord, who is he?" (Joḥn 13:23,25 Lamsa). The Disciple lying on Jesus’ bosom was Joḥn. It is believed that Joḥn was at least gay because of the intimate connection between him and Jesus. The intimate words of Joḥn lying on Jesus’ breast give Joḥn the characteristics of a gay male. This same verse also states that Joḥn was lying on his [Yeshua's] bosom AND that he was WHOM Yeshua LOVED. Using the word “whom” with the verb “to love” is a way to indicate that Joḥn was Yeshua’s beloved (lover). Compare: (Song 3:1-4). So Jesus may have been Joḥn's lover. They loved each other. Otherwise, I can also accept that there may have been no sexual connection between Jesus and Joḥn, and that Joḥn may have been just a celibate gay man. The Aramaic word smak means “to lay upon, rest and sleep.” So this verse (Jn. 13:23) can be saying that Joḥn "laid (or rested) on his bosom." For Jn. 13:25, The Aramaic text says that Joḥn "fell on the breast of Jesus, ..." There is no reason to translate the word n'pal as leaned, or to add the word himself in our English translation.
Note: The word khow-ra "friend, companion" is pronounced in the plural as khow-re (friends). However, this word has another legitimate pronunciation. Friend (with the same spelling) can also be pronounced kho-ra and its plural pronunciation is khoo-re. Sometimes the letter beth, when it has a "w" sound acts like the letter wow and becomes a vowel. This same thing occurs in other words such as "man," which can be pronounced as gow-ra or go-ra, "seven" which can be pronounced as show-a or sho-a, etc.
11. “Now there was one of his disciples who was leaning das-mik on his bosom, the one whom Jesus loved. - So that disciple leaned himself n'pal on the breast of Jesus, and said to him, My Lord, who is he?" (Joḥn 13:23,25 Lamsa). The Disciple lying on Jesus’ bosom was Joḥn. It is believed that Joḥn was at least gay because of the intimate connection between him and Jesus. The intimate words of Joḥn lying on Jesus’ breast give Joḥn the characteristics of a gay male. This same verse also states that Joḥn was lying on his [Yeshua's] bosom AND that he was WHOM Yeshua LOVED. Using the word “whom” with the verb “to love” is a way to indicate that Joḥn was Yeshua’s beloved (lover). Compare: (Song 3:1-4). So Jesus may have been Joḥn's lover. They loved each other. Otherwise, I can also accept that there may have been no sexual connection between Jesus and Joḥn, and that Joḥn may have been just a celibate gay man. The Aramaic word smak means “to lay upon, rest and sleep.” So this verse (Jn. 13:23) can be saying that Joḥn "laid (or rested) on his bosom." For Jn. 13:25, The Aramaic text says that Joḥn "fell on the breast of Jesus, ..." There is no reason to translate the word n'pal as leaned, or to add the word himself in our English translation.
Another possible indicator that Yeshua and Joḥn were in a homosexual relationship is found at (Joḥn 19:26-27 P'shitta): 'And when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple who was standing by, that one whom he WAS LOVING (ܪܳܚܹܡ: LOVED), then he said to his mother: "Woman, behold, [he is] your son!" Then he said to that disciple: "Behold, [she is] your mother!" And from that very hour that disciple took her with him.' Again we see that Yeshua LOVED Joḥn. There are also a couple of other places where Yoḥannan (Joḥn) writes in his Gospel that Yeshua loved him (John 20:2; 21:7). All those verses indicate that Yeshua was the lover (ܪܳܚܡܳܐ) while Yoḥannan (Yoḥanan) was the beloved (ܚܲܒܝ̣ܒ̣ܳܐ). Moreover, Yeshua may have entrusted the care of his mother Mariam to Joḥn, his beloved (lover), at his impending death on the cross. Why would he do that? Mariam had at least other [step-] children and / or relatives that could have taken care of her. The mother-in-law and father-in-law were known and addressed as "mother" or "father" and were essentially the “in-law’s” parents (ancestors). A son-in-law was also called a "son." We see this at (Toḅiṭ 8:21 P'shitta): "And half of my goods, take now. And half of them [you shall receive] when I have died and my wife [has died]. They are yours. And I am your father and Aiddanya (Edna) is your mother. Be comforted my son!" [see also Toḅiṭ 10:11-12; etc.].
DSS Translation: "[And whatever belongs to me, take from here the half and] bring it with you to the house of your father [in safety. And the other half you shall have when I shall die and my wife shall die. It is yours. Don't be afraid] my son. I am your father and Aiddana (Edna) is your mother. [And we are with you as well as your sister from now unto forever.] Don't be afraid, my son." (DSS Toḅiṭ 8:21 with [Codex Sinaiticus Greek Var. Text] to fill in the blanks).
NAMES AND OCCUPATIONS THAT INDICATE THE PERSON IS LESBIAN OR GAY:
12. (a) "Gaius asks of your welfare. [He is] my receiver and [the receiver (host)] of all of the assembly. Erastos the steward (administrator) of the city and Quartus the brother ask of your welfare." (Rom. 16:23). Erastos [Εραστος] [NFS] means "beloved (lover)" in Greek. Homosexual couples often consisted of the "lover" and the "beloved." Erastos is also called a rab-bay-ta "steward, administrator, manager." That title or occupation was often occupied by gay men. That's because there are just some things that women and gay men are good at; just like there are some things that men and lesbians are good (or better) at. His name could indicate that he is the “female beloved” in the relationship.
DSS Translation: "[And whatever belongs to me, take from here the half and] bring it with you to the house of your father [in safety. And the other half you shall have when I shall die and my wife shall die. It is yours. Don't be afraid] my son. I am your father and Aiddana (Edna) is your mother. [And we are with you as well as your sister from now unto forever.] Don't be afraid, my son." (DSS Toḅiṭ 8:21 with [Codex Sinaiticus Greek Var. Text] to fill in the blanks).
NAMES AND OCCUPATIONS THAT INDICATE THE PERSON IS LESBIAN OR GAY:
12. (a) "Gaius asks of your welfare. [He is] my receiver and [the receiver (host)] of all of the assembly. Erastos the steward (administrator) of the city and Quartus the brother ask of your welfare." (Rom. 16:23). Erastos [Εραστος] [NFS] means "beloved (lover)" in Greek. Homosexual couples often consisted of the "lover" and the "beloved." Erastos is also called a rab-bay-ta "steward, administrator, manager." That title or occupation was often occupied by gay men. That's because there are just some things that women and gay men are good at; just like there are some things that men and lesbians are good (or better) at. His name could indicate that he is the “female beloved” in the relationship.
The word erastes [eραστης] [NMS] “lover” (Jer. 4:30) is irregular in that the masculine form takes feminine endings in Greek. It is related to the word e-ros "love [desire]" (Prov. 7:18; 30:16). Both are from the verb e-ra-o “to love [desire passionately, long for]” (Esther 2:17; Prov. 4:6). Our English word "erotic" is also ultimately from that Greek verb.
13. (a) “When I send Artemas or Tycicus to you; endeavor to come to me at Nicopolis; for I have decided to winter there.” (Titus 3:12 Lamsa). Artemas is named after the Greek goddess Artemis (Diana- in Vulgate). This woman was probably a lesbian since Bible names have meanings, and carry characteristics about the person. It's as if she has the same character and nature of the goddess - a lesbian, protector of women, huntress, midwife. Artemis is called a par-then-os "lesbian, virgin." Artemis was worshipped as one of the primary goddesses of childbirth and midwifery. This may be because Artemis believed she had been chosen by the Fates to be a midwife. Artemis also assisted her mother in the delivery of her twin brother Apollo; since she was born first (the 6th day). Artemis is furthermore seen doing "manly" or "lesbian" things such as being the patron and protector of young girls and hunting. We know from the Hebrew Bible that lesbians also occupied the office of "midwife" frequently. The same Hebrew words and their Greek translation can refer to a midwife (midwives) “standing by” (1 Sam. 4:20) to help a woman giving birth plus refer to them or “females stationed by [to protect].” Artemis swore never to marry. She sat on her father Zeus' knee and asked him to grant her several wishes. A few of the wishes were: "to remain a virgin, to have many names to set her apart from her brother Phoiḅos (Apollo), to have a bow and arrow made by the Cyclops, and to have twenty Amnisides Nymphs as handmaidens to watch her dogs and bow while she rested. The fact that she didn't want to ever marry seems suspicious to me. That desire would be unnatural because God made us sexual creatures. It would however make sense if she was a lesbian. - In another story, she changes Siproites, a boy, into a girl, because he either sees her naked or attempts to rape her. Was Siproites turned into a lesbian then? Artemis, the goddess of forests and hills, was worshipped throughout ancient Greece. Her best known cults were on the island of Delos (her birthplace), in Attica at Brauron and Mounikhia (near Piraeus), and in Sparta. At Ephesus in Ionia, Turkey - she was worshipped as a mother goddess. The temple there was probably the best known center of her worship except for Delos.
13. (a) “When I send Artemas or Tycicus to you; endeavor to come to me at Nicopolis; for I have decided to winter there.” (Titus 3:12 Lamsa). Artemas is named after the Greek goddess Artemis (Diana- in Vulgate). This woman was probably a lesbian since Bible names have meanings, and carry characteristics about the person. It's as if she has the same character and nature of the goddess - a lesbian, protector of women, huntress, midwife. Artemis is called a par-then-os "lesbian, virgin." Artemis was worshipped as one of the primary goddesses of childbirth and midwifery. This may be because Artemis believed she had been chosen by the Fates to be a midwife. Artemis also assisted her mother in the delivery of her twin brother Apollo; since she was born first (the 6th day). Artemis is furthermore seen doing "manly" or "lesbian" things such as being the patron and protector of young girls and hunting. We know from the Hebrew Bible that lesbians also occupied the office of "midwife" frequently. The same Hebrew words and their Greek translation can refer to a midwife (midwives) “standing by” (1 Sam. 4:20) to help a woman giving birth plus refer to them or “females stationed by [to protect].” Artemis swore never to marry. She sat on her father Zeus' knee and asked him to grant her several wishes. A few of the wishes were: "to remain a virgin, to have many names to set her apart from her brother Phoiḅos (Apollo), to have a bow and arrow made by the Cyclops, and to have twenty Amnisides Nymphs as handmaidens to watch her dogs and bow while she rested. The fact that she didn't want to ever marry seems suspicious to me. That desire would be unnatural because God made us sexual creatures. It would however make sense if she was a lesbian. - In another story, she changes Siproites, a boy, into a girl, because he either sees her naked or attempts to rape her. Was Siproites turned into a lesbian then? Artemis, the goddess of forests and hills, was worshipped throughout ancient Greece. Her best known cults were on the island of Delos (her birthplace), in Attica at Brauron and Mounikhia (near Piraeus), and in Sparta. At Ephesus in Ionia, Turkey - she was worshipped as a mother goddess. The temple there was probably the best known center of her worship except for Delos.
(b) "I am entrusting to you Phoiḅe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Kenchreais, that you may receive her in our Lord as is right of the saints, and in every matter that she seeks from you, you shall stand by (serve, help) her; because she also was a protector of many [and] also of me." (Rom. 16:1-2). Phoiḅe means "bright, pure, radiant" and is one of the names of Artemis - "The Bright or Pure." So Phoiḅe already comes across as a lesbian to me. She is also called a qa-yum-ta "protector;" an occupation of a lesbian. The Greek New Testament has the verbal-noun pros-ta-tis1 "one who stands before and protects, a guardian, champion, front-rank-woman" - from the composite verb: pros-ta-te-o "to stand before (protect)" or "to stand before as a leader." The noun can have a secondary meaning of a "servant." However, I wouldn't translate this word as "servant" here because she is already called a servant in verse one (i.e. di-a-ko-ne / msham-sha-ni-tha - servant). The KJV translated pros-ta-tis terribly as: "a succourer (helper);" which isn't the most obvious meaning for this word. Judith's maid was called a pa-ra-sta-tis2 "one who stands by or near, defender, one's comrade on the flank" - from the composite verb: pa-ras-ta-teo "to stand by or near." Both Greek words can refer to "defenders," but in slightly different positions. Hebrew would use two words versus one Greek composite word made up of two words. (1 Sam. 22:6) mentions that Shaul and his servants [i.e. guards] standing by (around) him were in Giḅeah. Eglon, king of Moaḅ, also had guards "standing by him" that left when Ehud arrived (Judg. 3:19). - Like the second Greek word, Yehoshua (Joshua), the son of Nun, "was standing before (serving)" Mosheh (Deut. 1:38). Along that meaning, (Deut. 17:12) talks about a priest who is standing to serve." Artemis was likely called a pros-ta-tis "defender (f.)" and her twin brother Apollon likely was called a pros-ta-tes "defender" (m.). Compare (2 Chron. 24:11; 2 Macc. 3:4). The older Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon gives references of both of them under the state of being form entry of: pros-ta-tei-a "standing before (protection)."
THE HEBREW WORD DOD MAY MEAN “BELOVED” VERSUS “UNCLE” IN CERTAIN VERSUS OR SOMETIMES CARRY BOTH OF THOSE MEANINGS:
14. “Now when the turn came for Esther, the daughter of Aḅiḥayil, the beloved of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she didn’t request anything except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian (guard) of the women, said [advised]. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her.” (Esther 2:15). In that same chapter, we are told that Mordecai was a eunuch door guard (Esther 2:11, 21-23) and served in or guarded the court (Esther A:2, 12, 16). So he could have been a gay eunuch. Aḅiḥayil could have been his “male-lover” or “beloved.” Later we are told that Esther was the daughter of two men. - “Then Esther the Queen, the daughter of Aḅiḥayil and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all strength (full authority) to confirm this second letter about Purim.” (Esther 9:29). Since we were already told how Esther became Mordecai’s daughter in chapter 2, and there is a way to word a statement to say a person became an adopted child without indicating any homosexual relationship, it just seems odd that a Hebrew writer would word the text as if Mordecai and Aḅiḥayil were in a homosexual relationship. Unless of course they were lovers.
1st Note: It’s kind of odd for a nephew (Mordecai) to adopt his cousin [Esther] as his daughter. Why didn’t the presumed uncle’s brothers, sisters, mom or dad adopt Esther? It seems more likely that a spouse would adopt the child of his spouse. Also, I think gay men were often om-nim [אֹמנִים] “upbringers (nourishers, supporters, foster-parents, guardians, male nurses, ܪܲܘܪ̈ܒ̣ܳܢܹܐ discipliners, tutors, educators, etc.)” (Num. 11:12; 2 Ki. 10:1, 5; Isa. 49:23). Hence the Hebrew text has Mordecai bringing up (אֹמֵן) Esther like a gay man would do for a child who isn’t his (Esther 2:7). The text could have used the better Hebrew word gid-del [גִּדֵּל]; which consistently refers to a parent or God “bringing up (raising, etc.) a child or children (Isa. 1:2; 23:4; 49:21; etc.).
14. “Now when the turn came for Esther, the daughter of Aḅiḥayil, the beloved of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she didn’t request anything except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian (guard) of the women, said [advised]. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her.” (Esther 2:15). In that same chapter, we are told that Mordecai was a eunuch door guard (Esther 2:11, 21-23) and served in or guarded the court (Esther A:2, 12, 16). So he could have been a gay eunuch. Aḅiḥayil could have been his “male-lover” or “beloved.” Later we are told that Esther was the daughter of two men. - “Then Esther the Queen, the daughter of Aḅiḥayil and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all strength (full authority) to confirm this second letter about Purim.” (Esther 9:29). Since we were already told how Esther became Mordecai’s daughter in chapter 2, and there is a way to word a statement to say a person became an adopted child without indicating any homosexual relationship, it just seems odd that a Hebrew writer would word the text as if Mordecai and Aḅiḥayil were in a homosexual relationship. Unless of course they were lovers.
1st Note: It’s kind of odd for a nephew (Mordecai) to adopt his cousin [Esther] as his daughter. Why didn’t the presumed uncle’s brothers, sisters, mom or dad adopt Esther? It seems more likely that a spouse would adopt the child of his spouse. Also, I think gay men were often om-nim [אֹמנִים] “upbringers (nourishers, supporters, foster-parents, guardians, male nurses, ܪܲܘܪ̈ܒ̣ܳܢܹܐ discipliners, tutors, educators, etc.)” (Num. 11:12; 2 Ki. 10:1, 5; Isa. 49:23). Hence the Hebrew text has Mordecai bringing up (אֹמֵן) Esther like a gay man would do for a child who isn’t his (Esther 2:7). The text could have used the better Hebrew word gid-del [גִּדֵּל]; which consistently refers to a parent or God “bringing up (raising, etc.) a child or children (Isa. 1:2; 23:4; 49:21; etc.).
2nd Note: The Hebrew word דּוֹד dod [m.] means: “beloved (lover)” many times in the Song of Songs, etc. However, sometimes a person can be both: דּוֹדָה do-dah [f.] "[the] beloved" and "aunt" (Ex. 6:20). Amram took his wife Yocheḅed while he was in Egypt (Num. 26:59). Maybe the Hebrew slavery influenced that relationship. Mordecai, who has a Persian or Aramaic name, was called “the Jew” either because he came to Shushan (Susa) among the Jewish exiles (Esther 2:5-6) or because of his religion. Maybe his uncle was also his beloved [lover] (Esther 2:7, 15). The captivity or exile may have influenced that. Also, there is no family line given for Aḅiḥayil elsewhere in the Bible as a son of Qish. We know for sure that Qish fathered “Shaul and Shimi [Saul & Shimei] (1 Sam. 9:3; 10:11, 21; etc. & Esther 2:5). If Aḅiḥayil wasn’t a Benjaminite, then the statement should be: “the beloved of Mordecai.” That statement would be similar to (1 Chron. 27:32) which says that Yehonathan [AKA: Yonathan] was "the beloved of David.” We know “beloved” is the correct interpretation there because Jonathan wasn’t the brother of David’s dad Yishai (Jesse) or the brother of Shaul - he was Shaul’s son. Yishai and Shaul aren’t brothers either. Oḅed fathered Yishai (Ruth 4:22) while Aḅiel [AKA: Ner] fathered Shaul (1 Sam. 9:1-2; 1 Chron. 8:33). There are statements of descent to back the correct interpretation. So we can’t go by the English translations which say that: “Aḅiḥayil was “the uncle of Mordecai” then deduct that Aḅiḥayil must be a descendant of Qish (Kish). No, there is some indication that “beloved” is the correct interpretation; which I gave above.
15. “or his beloved (uncle) or his beloved’s son (uncle’s son) may redeem him; or anyone who is near of kin to him from his family may redeem him; or [if] he shall be able and shall redeem himself.” (Lev. 25:49). The word dod “beloved” or “uncle” can carry both of those meanings here and at (Amos 6:10). The cited verse is about a brother (relative, lover ?) who becomes poor and sells himself to a foreigner or inhabitant (Lev. 25:47). The right of redemption belongs to one of his brothers (Lev. 25:48), his beloved or uncle, near of kin, etc.
15. “or his beloved (uncle) or his beloved’s son (uncle’s son) may redeem him; or anyone who is near of kin to him from his family may redeem him; or [if] he shall be able and shall redeem himself.” (Lev. 25:49). The word dod “beloved” or “uncle” can carry both of those meanings here and at (Amos 6:10). The cited verse is about a brother (relative, lover ?) who becomes poor and sells himself to a foreigner or inhabitant (Lev. 25:47). The right of redemption belongs to one of his brothers (Lev. 25:48), his beloved or uncle, near of kin, etc.
Supplement: The above list of homosexuals, lesbians and bisexuals should not be assumed to be all of them in the Bible. I have left out the other ones that the reader should be able to identify by deduction and hence assume that certain individuals are or likely LGB in the Bible. Who is to say that the other eunuchs aren't gay? What about Elijah (Eliyahu) who was the Lord[s] of Elisha (2 Ki. 2:5)? They had a very close relationship and both never married a wife. The sons of the prophets who were at Bethel said to Elisha: “Do you know that Yahweh will take away your Lord[s] from over your head” (2 Ki. 2:3). The marriage relationship was typified as being between the Lord (husband) and his maid (wife) for heterosexuals while it was typified as being between the Lord (husband) and his servant (boyfriend, lover) for homosexuals. Eliyahu was more than one Lord to Elisha along with being his Head [Leader] (cf: 1 Cor. 11:3). Later, Eliyahu ascends into heaven by a whirlwind from a fiery chariot & fiery horses [maybe: he was beamed up into a heavenly spaceship] naked while Elisha looks on and takes his garment that fell down (2 Ki. 2:11-14). Moreover, as stated earlier, Joseph who swore on his father's privates may have been gay and only had a wife to produce children. Otherwise, he could have been bisexual and that could explain why his master Potiphar believed his wife; who said Joseph tried to sleep with her. I have also left out possible lesbian and gay couples in the Aramaic Bible where the following words appear: raḥ-ma (lover, friend), khow-ra (companion) and show-ta-pa [m.] / show-tap-ta [f.] (partner, husband / wife). That's because I couldn't rule out that the non-sexual or non-relationship meaning wasn't meant. Those same words are used to describe spouses and lovers in a heterosexual relationship. Since the word raḥ-ma [MS] can mean "friend" or "lover" in certain contexts, it can also carry both of those meanings in many statements in the Bible where it is translated merely as "friend." Readers lose part of the message in the translation. Take (Proverbs 19:4 Peshitta) for one example: "Wealth adds many friends (or lovers); but a poor man shall be separating (or departing) from his friends (or lovers)." There are many more examples like this where raḥ-ma / raḥm-ta [FS] or raḥ-me / raḥ-ma-tha can have a dual meaning of both "friend(s) and lover(s)" (Ps. 35:14; Lk. 15:6, 9, 29; etc.).
Is the Bible Against Homosexuality? by Preacher Mattai (c) (Ɔ) 2016. All rights reserved.
Is the Bible Against Homosexuality? by Preacher Mattai (c) (Ɔ) 2016. All rights reserved.
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